Under 15s vs Marlow Park, 24th May 2005

Cup run hits the buffers!

Ian Walter

On Tuesday 24 May Ley Hill’s under 15’s resumed their County Cup campaign with a tough fixture at Marlow Park, renowned for having a number of Bucks and Berks players in their squad. This was David versus Goliath stuff but our lads were in the mood to give of their best.

Marlow won the toss and opted to bat on a ‘shirtfront’ wicket. Hill meanwhile took the field with ten players as Craig Peterson was delayed in Aylesbury completing a Chesham High School fixture! The omens were not good.

With the honourable exception of Ben Ford, who bowled an excellent line and length to concede only nine runs from his four overs, our bowling was far too short and lesser players than county batsmen would have enjoyed themselves.

Marlow piled on 164 for 1 with three county players occupying the crease so it was ten man Ley Hill against BucksandBerksshire! The sole wicket fell at 118 and openers Cassidy and Potgieter both made over 60 before Stephen Walter bowled the former.

Needless to say Craig was first sighted as Hill trooped off the pitch having bowled their 20 overs!

Hill’s reply began with Cassidy (surprise, surprise!) opening with a lovely Michael Holding action that was almost as quick as the great man himself. Richard Falconer was the unlucky opener to be on the receiving end but he paved the way for a brave stand of 44 between Stephen and Dan Wilde that kept matters respectable. A growing in confidence Dan holed out for 23 however as the pressure intensified and the required run rate inevitably proved too much despite the best efforts of Ollie Mace, Craig, Stephen (run out by Ben on 37) and the not out batsmen Ben (15) and Sam Harrison.

We finished with a creditable 104 for 6 and hopefully the boys will have learned much from the quality of the opposition, the sporting nature of the game and appreciated the magnificent surroundings by the River Thames of the Marlow Park ground.

Special thanks must go to Robin Carr for not only umpiring in the absence of our regular umpire Graham Harrison but also for acting as one of the team taxis! Many thanks too to the Kathy Falconer and Steve Mace for being available to assist with transportation at 4.45 on a Tuesday afternoon.